David Beatty Photography

Albinism is a congenital disorder characterized by the absence of pigment in the skin, hair and eyes. It seems that the condition arose in East Africa, specifically Tanzania, as in that country one in every 1400 Tanzanians is afflicted with albinism compared with a global average of one in 20,000. 

Unfortunately this has given rise to a number of myths and beliefs regarding their appearance so that in Africa being born an albino can be a death sentence due to prejudice based on ignorance. In many rural areas albinos are believed to be ghosts that cannot die, or it is thought that their families are cursed. 'Witch doctors' and 'spiritualists' believe that their limbs can be turned into magic potions to cure various ailments, or even to aid politicians to win elections. As a result an albino corpse can be worth up to 75,000 dollars. The result is that those afflicted with albinism are often hunted and killed for their body parts. 

Apart from the more extreme superstitious prejudices that exist, in general those with albinism face a more general social marginalization that affects their education and integration into society.

Early this year, 2015, I was asked by Dr. Prabha Choksey to assist her newly formed Foundation to help those born with albinism. She is an eye specialist dedicated to helping them overcome the problems with vision that the lack of pigment creates. 

The following photoshoot celebrates the beauty of those born without the normal pigmentation. By including black African girls in the shoot, styled in the manner of a fashion shoot, it is intended to undermine the prejudices concerning 'difference' and to promote a positive image of those born to this condition so that they may participate in a new society with 'No Margins', where everyone matters.